Papier mache

• The technique is based, as the name suggests, on paper, but it is not about simply gluing newspapers together. I create a durable material that can be colored or varnished, similar to wood, starting from a handmade paste. The recipes vary greatly, often being adapted depending on the project. In my case, I work with a paper paste in which I incorporate various materials until I obtain a consistency similar to a "clay". I model in layers, dry, finish and varnish — the process is meticulous, but the result has a special hardness and texture. The binder I use is based on cereal flour — a traditional ingredient, used over time in surprising ways, including in the mortar for gluing bricks on the Great Wall of China. For good results, it is essential to understand how the materials interact. That is why a little apprenticeship can make the difference between a frustrating and rewarding experience. I have used this technique to create doll heads and bibabo dolls, props, commedia dell arte masks, decorative masks, and unique art objects.